Police probe launched

Washington: The United States Justice Department yesterday launched a sweeping civil investigation into policing practices in Minneapolis following a jury’s verdict that former city police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd.

The probe is the first major action of Attorneygeneral Merrick Garland, after President Joe Biden vowed to address systemic racism in the US. It would consider whether the department engages ‘‘in a pattern or practice of using excessive force, including during protests’’, he said.

He added it would also examine whether the department ‘‘engages in discriminatory conduct and whether its treatment of those with behavioural health disabilities is unlawful’’.